Dr Dish inks deal with Econet Media to launch Kwese TV in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean broadcaster Dr Dish said it has signed a content distribution deal with Econet Media, a Pan African Broadcasting Network, to bring Kwese TV to Zimbabwe. Dr Dish holds Content Distribution Service Licence number CD0004, issued by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe on 18 October 2012 and valid until 17 September 2022.

Dr Dish had been distributing content on behalf of My TV Africa until the latter lost its content rights for the Zimbabwe Territory and consequently migrated its channels to Eutelsat 16A, whose satellite footprint does not cover Zimbabwe. This development forced Dr Dish to suspend its services and commence searching for an alternative service provider who would have content relevant.

Talks with Econet Media, a Mauritian-based Pan-African television network, have been going on for some time and a deal was concluded in October 2016. Dr Dish originally intended to bring the Kwese service to Zimbabwe in January, but had to wait for Zimbabwe to get its slot in Kwese’s pan-African roll-out. Dr Dish has also secured the participation of Econet Kwese Television Zimbabwe (Private) as part of its establishment, in compliance with the regulations.